This newsletter/update is to keep members of CAN, or interested parties, up to date on our monthly meeting, what we discussed, what our plans are for the upcoming month, and any other pertinent information covered during the meeting. We understand that not everyone is able to attend a monthly meeting and hope that this will keep those interested in CAN in the loop. Please let us know if you have any questions or comments concerning our meetings and/or this update by e-mailing us at info@canbc.org, or by phoning (604) 466-8771.
Thank you for you interest. Your ideas, suggestions, and input will help to create positive change in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. Together we CAN!
CAN held their first meeting of 2006 on Monday, January 16th. We had a lot to discuss and the members were eager to tackle the topics.
Each month we choose a different business within Maple Ridge or Pitt Meadows to spotlight on our web site. This is called "Spotlight on Accessibility" and it highlights how various businesses have made their establishments universally accessible. It has been suggested that we should create certificates to give to each business that we spotlight so that we are acknowledging their efforts in a physical way. This certificate would be presented to the business in a frame to show our appreciation. If the business wanted to put it up it would, hopefully, get people thinking about accessibility, and would encourage them to visit our web site. We do keep a database of all previous spotlights on the web site. The certificates will be created within the next week and they will be handed out to the businesses who were previously spotlighted. If you know of any accessible business please let us know and we will spotlight them.
The second topic was CAN’s partnership with getmenus.ca. We now have a group of volunteers ready to take on the job of assessing the accessibility of willing restaurants listed on the getmenus.ca site. We have some able-bodied volunteers who will assess any restaurants that the volunteers in wheelchairs are unable to access. We want to make sure that the review is complete and that it considers all disabilities. We have a four page list of accessibility guidelines which the volunteers will use. If you are interested in seeing the checklist please e-mail us at info@canbc.org.
We will begin this project this month. getmenus.ca is rapidly expanding, and we look forward to working with them. Once an assessment has been done we will write a review that will be posted on getmenus.ca. The manager, or owner, of each restaurant will receive a copy of our checklist and review. We hope that by giving a completed checklist to the owners/managers we help them to better understand what accessibility is, and how they already create, or how to improve upon creating, a more inclusive dining experience.
Another issue that we have been working on is the parking situation at the Ridge Meadows Hospital. Some members have been told that parking, for those with the SPARC approved handicap sign is free, no matter where on-site one parks. Others have been told that the parking is free for those with the designated signs only in the designated parking stalls. We have attempted, in previous months, to get a straight answer about this question but the policy does not seem to be in writing. We do have a photocopy of a sign located in the Rehab section of the hospital. This sign was printed by the administration office in June 2004. It reads:
"Persons with disabilities coming to Ridge Meadows Hospital may park anywhere on-site, in any parking stall free of charge. Your approved identification placard must be clearly visible in your vehicle to avoid ticketing."
We are continuing to wade through the voice mails trying to find the right person, and the right department, to have our question answered. We hope to have signs, such as the one from the Rehab department, posted at the ticket machines so that if someone is parked, with the designated handicap SPARC sign, they know where the parking is free.
This is an excellent example of how communication is a key to accessibility. Different members are being told different policies and confusion has been created. We will continue to work to get a policy that will be posted in the hospital (in more than one location) so that the confusion can be alleviated. We hope to have this issue resolved by our February 20th meeting.
Translink is offering a guide called "Getting Around Greater Vancouver on Accessible Transit". If you are interested in receiving a copy phone (604) 453-4500.
Upon inspection of this guide, however, it is not as promising as it sounds. We were disappointed to realize that there is no mention of how to properly board a bus, the skytrain, or the West Coast Express with a walker or a guide dog. There is also no mention about properly boarding a shuttle bus. The shuttles buses are in use within our two communities, and many customers are unsure as to how they are supposed to board. Those with strollers or walkers see the steps at the front of the bus and turn away, assuming that they are not able to board the bus. Those with walkers and strollers are allowed to use the lift at the back of the bus to board. This information is not communicated to the rider unless the rider contacts Translink or directly asks the bus driver. We feel that this information needs to be communicated in a clear way to all passengers. People with guide dogs are unable to have their dogs sit at their feet in the handicap seating section of the shuttle bus as the aisle is narrow and the guide dog would block the aisle, which is clearly not safe. We have yet to get an answer as to where, on the shuttle buses, those with guide dogs are supposed to sit.
We had hoped that the guide Translink offered would answer this question but the only mention of people with guide dogs is that they must have the proper identification card for the guide dog. There is a number to call concerning the "Pets on Transit policy" but this policy is for caged birds, cats, and small dogs. There is no mention about guide dogs.
There have been members of the community who upon boarding a bus with their walker were told to fold the walker up. If these individuals were capable of folding a walker and holding it in one hand while boarding a bus with no support they would not require the walker. Again, we hoped that the answer of how to properly board a bus would be addressed in the Translink guide.
The Translink guide was put together with the "valuable insights and consultations with ComPACT volunteers and other advocates for people with disabilities". ComPACT stands for Committee to Promote Accessible Conventional Transit. This guide was created and made just one month ago. We have contacted Translink to try to get the written policies concerning safely boarding with a walker, a guide dog, and on shuttle buses, but have so far been given the run around. We will continue to leave messages on voice mails, and be shuffled from one department to another, in the hopes that we can get a copy of Translink’s written policy concerning all mobility aids, and all types of buses.
Again, this is a problem with communication. Translink is working to create an accessible bus system but is not communicating with their customers about how the services are accessible. While this guide is useful, it neglects to help certain customers. The shuttle bus service is increasingly being used in suburban areas and yet Translink is not informing their customers on the proper use. We hope to work with Translink to improve their communication with their customers.
CAN was contacted by a reporter, Dave Dormer, at the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Times. Dave is hoping to do a series of articles with CAN to educate those in MR/PM about accessibility issues. As CAN works towards improving accessibility Dave has asked to know about our issues, our progress, and our successes. He wrote an article about the handicap decals on bus stop signs for Tuesday, January 17th’s paper. CAN is hoping to work with Translink to improve the visibility of the handicap decal, or to create a new way of letting customers know which bus stops are accessible and which are not. Dave wrote about this in his article.
Dave also mentioned, in the article, that CAN is looking for volunteers to measure the bus stops to find out if bus stops which are not marked as accessible are within the perimeter of Translink’s measurements for accessible bus stops. We hope that some bus stops, not currently marked as accessible, will be proven to be accessible. CAN has already received a phone call from a couple who are interested in volunteering their services, and who are eager to start this weekend. Once CAN’s volunteers have measured the bus stops we will create a report for Translink that will address the accessibility of the bus stops and the visual identification used for making accessible bus stops. One suggestion for Translink will be to paint a neon band around the bus stop poles to indicate accessible bus stops. This would be visual, larger than the current decal, and not likely to be obstructed by overhanging trees.
Dave is excited about a continuing relationship with CAN as he is eager to inform people about accessibility issues. We at CAN thank Dave for his enthusiasm and look forward to working with The Times to educate, promote, and encourage accessibility within our two communities.
The new year has brought about membership dues. There are costs associated with running CAN and we hope that by getting our members to pay a once a year membership due of $20 we can continue to work to resolve the issues without worrying about costs.
CAN is hoping to make their presence known throughout the community, and to find new members, and we need to raise money for this. There is a membership form attached to this newsletter. If you are truly unable to afford $20 please let us know and we will adjust the fee. If you are able to sponsor a member who is unable to pay please mark the appropriate line on the membership form. If you are unable to pay $20 at this time please send the member information about yourself and let us know when you will be able to pay. Cheques should be made out to Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods. Thank you.
We have a new member who is enthusiastic and eager to work towards creating more barrier-free environments. Catherine was the subject of December’s "Abilities" column. She is a teenager with a lot of ideas, energy, and enthusiasm. She was a guest speaker at our meeting on Monday night. Catherine spoke of the accessibility difficulties she is experiencing as she gets used to using both a manual and power wheelchair.
Since Catherine is new to a wheelchair she is just learning about the barriers that occur daily. Catherine is eager to work towards improving the accessibility in her community. She is excited to help with CAN’s projects, and is enthusiastic about CAN as an organization that works towards improving the barriers that she never thought about until recently. We are glad to have her as a new member.
After Catherine spoke we closed the meeting by asking members to consider ideas for fundraising, and for encouraging more people to join CAN. We are considering a daytime meeting for those unable to attend at night. We need to first raise some money for the cost of the rental for a room. There are several seniors interested in attending a day time meeting and we hope to make this a reality within the next three months. For those who attend school, or work, during the day, we will continue to hold our meeting at 6:30 PM on the third Monday of the month.
If you know of anyone interested in joining CAN, volunteering, or receiving the newsletter please let them know about our web site www.canbc.org, and pass on our contact information: e-mail info@canbc.org, phone number (604) 466-8771.
We look forward to progressing forward with our goals. If you have any feedback please let us know by phoning (604) 466-8771 or e-mailing info@canbc.org.
I thank those who attended our meeting, and those who were unable to attend but offered their support and ideas by phone or e-mail. CAN is considering starting a daytime meeting in the new year for members who are unable to attend meetings at night. If you are interested please let us know.
A newsletter, such as this, will follow each meeting to keep you up to date. If you are interested in receiving a copy of this newsletter by e-mail or through regular post please contact us.
I hope to see you February 20th at the Fraser Room in the Maple Ridge Library from 6:30 - 8:30 PM, or hear from you by e-mail or telephone prior to our meeting.
Remember together we CAN!
